Orthoptist

Integrated Care System; Taunton; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for an Orthoptist to join a growing team in Somerset. The role involves autonomous provision of Orthoptic services, diagnosis and management of complex cases, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers a supportive environment for professional development and flexible working options, ensuring a fulfilling career in a diverse and friendly setting.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Focus on career development

Blue Light Card for discounts

Qualifications

• Possess a Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council.
• Registered with the Health Care Professions Council.
• Current full UK driving licence and car.

Responsibilities

• Provide Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner.
• Assess, diagnose and manage patients referred to the Orthoptic Department.
• Plan, implement and monitor individual Orthoptic treatment plans.

Skills

Communication

Clinical Reasoning

Teamwork

Ophthalmology Assessment

Education

Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc(Orth) or BMedSci (Orthoptics)

Diploma from the British Orthoptic Council (DBO)

Job description

The Orthoptics service in Somerset is growing and developing making it a really exciting time to join our team. We are creating new services following the merger of two trusts to create Somerset NHS Foundation Trust creating a growing team of orthoptists of 11 orthoptists working in diverse roles both autonomously and as part of multi disciplinary teams in Paediatric ophthalmology, Neuro ophthalmology, Adults Strabismus, Stroke, Glaucoma and Ocular plastics. We have reception aged school vision screening and are a clinical placement site for student orthoptists. We have a great track record for supporting newly qualified orthoptists with trust wide and department preceptorship. Early career Orthoptist thrive here and value the friendly and supportive team.

Main duties of the job

To provide Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner. To assess, diagnose and manage patients referred to the Orthoptic Department providing a comprehensive service across Somerset. The post holder will work within a multi-disciplinary team within the ophthalmology department to provide and develop these services within the Trust.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

Communication and Key Working Relationships

To liaise with the Consultant Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Health Visitors/School nurses, safeguarding teams, paediatricians and other health professionals children's services, parents, patients and teachers of visual impairment using verbal and written correspondence.

To be aware of barriers to communication and be able to overcome them effectively for example: with children, people with learning disabilities, where English is not their first language, with patients with expressive language difficulties (stroke).

To participate in an annual appraisal (Developmental Review).

Planning and Organisation

To be responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring individual Orthoptic treatment plans / care pathways for patients of all ages, using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to decide the most appropriate treatment from a range of available options.

To discuss surgical options with the surgeon and make recommendations regarding surgical procedures using an up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based practice.

To attend and contribute to Orthoptic departmental meetings.

Responsibility for Patient / Client Care, Treatment & Therapy

To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services. This includes infants with strabismus (squint) and amblyopia, congenital or developmental disabilities, genetics referrals, strokes, children and adults with significant learning difficulties as well as acute ocular motility defects in both children and adults. Clinics could be located across the Somerset FT area in community hospitals, special schools and other locations and (a small proportion)may be single handed once adequate competence and experience is reached.

To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the investigation, diagnose and management of all patients referred to and follow up within the orthoptic department with binocular vision and ocular motility defects. This patient group comprises all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia, complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, patients who have suffered strokes, patients with orbital disease, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities. This will involves analysing and interpreting highly complex and sensitive information.

To be responsible for the Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management of patients referred to the Orthoptic Department from various departments, including paediatrics, school vision screening, emergency department, maxillo-facial department, ophthalmology ARC clinic, and paediatrics.

To take sole responsibility to formulate relevant discharge plans and onward referral to relevant teams/departments

To decide, plan and organise patient's investigations before seeing consultant ophthalmologist to ensure efficient running of clinic and best patient experience.

To assist surgeon in post-operative adjustable suture techniques. This requires accurate measurement to aid and allow ocular re-alignment whilst the patient is under local anaesthesia.

To be responsible for triaging referrals to the orthoptic department.

To perform auto refraction and to be responsible for the maintenance and safe use of the auto refractor.

To perform automated visual fields and interpret in line with DVLA guidance.

To work within limitations of PGD and/or Medical exemptions dependent on qualifications.

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Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility

*To undertake regular audit of the services within the area of responsibility.

*To contribute to the planning and the development of the Orthoptic service, e.g. developing guidelines and policies for the Orthoptic team and those accessing the service such as nursing medical or therapy staff.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources

To be responsible for maintaining adequate levels of medical/surgical supplies and security of medication used in clinical situations.

To monitor stock levels of departmental supplies and request ordering when required.

To be responsible for the care of clinical equipment and reporting of faults.

Utilise Department and Trust information systems currently in use and ensure the accuracy of information held on the Patient Administration Systems (Maxims).

Information Resources & Administrative Duties

To liaise with other departments within the hospital (e.g. the wards, other specialities, admissions, booking team, medical records, outpatients and information systems) and ensure that the department interfaces efficiently with them.

To comply with departmental quality procedures and participate in quality management monitoring. This will include planning of audits for hospital orthoptic service, and participation in local, regional and national audits.

To attend appropriate training events and courses thereby maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills.

To attend and contribute to Orthoptic departmental meetings (e.g. research and present new ideas)

To always keep and maintain appropriate records ensuring that all paperwork is filed promptly into case-notes/EPR.

To deal with enquiries arising during the working day and take appropriate action.

To attend mandatory training as deemed necessary for role and ensure this is kept in date.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Possess a Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc(Orth), BMedSci (Orthoptics) and/or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council (DBO).
• Registered with the Health Care Professions Council..
• Current full UK driving licence and car.

Experience

• To have evidence of working successfully as part of a multidisciplinary team and independently.
• Skills in ophthalmology assessment

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.